For Seven Straight Years, Brown has Helped Organize Camps to Help Ohio Students Learn about Manufacturing This Year, Brown Will Host 36 Camps in 26 Counties across Ohio

Friday, July 12, 2019

LANCASTER, OH – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) visited eighth and ninth-grade campers at Ohio University Lancaster as they participate in the Fairfield County Summer Manufacturing Camp that Brown’s office helped to organize.

“Manufacturing is one of our state’s most important industries, but too often, our companies can’t find workers with the right skills, while our students don’t realize all the opportunities available to them,” said Brown. “We need today’s Ohio students to realize all the potential careers they could have in Ohio manufacturing, and that’s why, for seven years now, my office has put on summer manufacturing camps for 4th through 9th graders across Ohio.”

Brown’s office started organizing summer manufacturing camps in 2013 in Youngstown, and since then, the number of camps throughout the state has grown every year. This year, Brown’s office will help organize 36 camps in 26 counties.

“Manufacturing is alive and well in Fairfield County,” said Rick Szabrak, Fairfield County Economic and Workforce Development Director. “We’re seeing existing companies grow as well as new companies locate here. The key is for us to fill the jobs of tomorrow and this program shows students how rewarding careers in manufacturing can be.”

Brown’s summer manufacturing camps help introduce kids and their parents to an up-to-date, real-world understanding of American manufacturing. This learning opportunity gives local students the opportunity to learn about careers in their community, tour local manufacturing facilities, and learn from experts. Students learn how products are made, participate in team-building exercises, and work on a project specific to their community.

The camp is organized by the Fairfield 33 Development Alliance and its community partners are Ohio University Lancaster, Lancaster City Schools, South Central Power, niFco, Company Wrench, Worthington Industries and Mid West Fabricating Co.

The camps are open to boys and girls. The ages or grades for each camp are determined by local organizers.